Faculty Layoffs at College of the North Atlantic Hit Rural Newfoundland and Labrador Hard

NEWS RELEASE

Faculty Layoffs at College of the North Atlantic Hit Rural Newfoundland and Labrador Hard

For Immediate Release
Monday, May 7, 2018

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE) President Jerry Earle is voicing his concern today about another round of layoffs at the College of the North Atlantic (CNA).

“Last week, 13 faculty members, who are members of NAPE, were given layoff notices. In the past five years, dozens of faculty members have been laid off at the College,” said Earle. “This is part of a troubling trend at the college in recent years and we are seeing the impact primarily on rural campuses. These campuses, these programs, and these good jobs are integral parts of the economic structure of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Each cut has a ripple effect on the local economy.”

“We are of the understanding that these layoffs are not the result of budgetary issues but as part of their annual enrolment management process, but we are looking into that further and requesting additional information from the College on that front,” said Earle. “While we understand that the College needs to be responsive to enrolment demands, they should be engaging with their front line staff, faculty, and their union on ways to mitigate impact, create and attract new programs, and improve enrolment and program delivery.”

“We are in a situation now where Faculty, particularly at some of the smaller rural campuses, are waiting for the axe to fall each and every spring in the name of strategic enrolment management,” continued Earle. “It’s death by a thousand cuts.”